Today’s Date: June 13, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Dubois, Wyoming

Today’s End Point: Lander, Wyoming

Today’s Miles: 77.13 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 1,568.19 Miles

After a few easier days, I knew today would be tough since the route would consist of around 75 miles of riding. Rides in Wyoming are all dependent on the wind. Bike travelers that I have talked to said the Wyoming winds are the worst on the route, even tougher than the Kansas winds.

The route would take me south-east to the town of Lander, Wyoming, almost downhill the whole way. There would be few opportunities for resupply and temperatures were predicted to be in the upper 80s. An early morning start seemed to be the smart choice.

I left Dubois before 7:00 am and was happy to have a tailwind. Maybe this would not be so bad after all. The morning sun was particularly beautiful as it cast shadows in all of the nooks and crannies of the surrounding hills.

I was making great time, and conditions were perfect. On this trip, the advantages of the slow pace of bike travel sometimes reveals itself. In this case, as when I approached the town of Ennis, Montana, it is the sudden experience of the landscape after cresting a hill or coming around a turn.

As I was coming around a turn about 15 miles from Dubois, my whole vision was filled with a wall of red rock, probably eight or ten stories tall. It was just breathtaking. I tried to take pictures to capture its beauty, but I just don’t have the photography chops. The road took me right up against the rocks and that is when I really had a true appreciation of the size of the formation.

I continued south and east until I decided to get something to eat at about mile 30 at a spot on the map called Crowheart (I can’t even call this a town). Nevertheless, Crowheart would be one of only two opportunities today to get food or drink.

When I finished, I was sad to see the wind had completely shifted so that I would now have a head/cross wind for the remainder of the day. The landscape for the last part of the route was relatively repetitious. In addition, I ran into a one-lane closure for road construction, where the road for about 15 miles was covered in new oil (glad I put fenders on the bike).

From Crowheart to about ten miles north of Lander, Wyoming, I was riding through the Wind River Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho. It is visually pretty, but it appears to be an arid landscape. The sun was beating down on me because there is absolutely no shade anywhere.

I continued on to Lander, Wyoming, through the greenish/brown hills. I am starting to realize that I start to struggle at about the 65 mile mark. Not that I get sore, I just feel like a need a nap. Note to self: At noon, drink a supplemental bottle of 5-hour Energy-problem solved.

Even with the headwind, I arrived at the hotel earlier than expected. Fortunately, the Post Office was nearby so I shipped about five pounds of clothes and other items home. I am now going real minimalist, but my theory is that if I have only used something once or twice, I don’t need it. If I am wrong, oh well, it will work out.

Once I lightened my load, I wanted to wander around the town, which has more amenities than others I have seen. For instance, there is an Albertson’s grocery store in town. I don’t think I have seen a chain grocery store since I left on this trip. It also leans into its Western roots and I would have loved to check out the town.

However, today left me once again knackered so it’s rest and rehabilitation for me tonight. Tomorrow has some climbing and is in an even worse supply free zone.